Man pleads guilty in bomb-making case

Steamboat Springs  Former Hayden resident Isaac Haskins pled guilty Wednesday to charges stemming from a series of homemade acid bombs set off in Hayden during the first week of August.

Haskins pled guilty to possession of an explosive or incendiary device, a Class 4 felony, and reckless endangerment, a Class 3 misdemeanor. He is expected to serve concurrent sentences of four years of supervised probation on each charge, pending a presentence investigation from the probation department requested by District Judge Shelley Hill.

Haskins and former Hayden resident Dusty Zabel, 19, were accused of setting off between 12 and 14 acid bombs in Hayden last summer. The men graduated from Hayden High School in May 2006 and now attend college.

Officer Darin Falk of the Hayden Police Department had to be treated for chemical bronchitis after breathing toxic hydrochloric acid fumes when handling the explosive devices. The Moffat County Hazmat Team had to decontaminate Falk's patrol vehicle as a result of the incident.

Haskins also admitted Wednesday that his actions constitute a violation of his ongoing probation from a previous case. Haskins was one of three Hayden teenagers sentenced to five days in jail and ordered to pay restitution to a group of other Hayden boys who were branded with a heated coat hanger at a party in March 2006.

Zabel agreed to a two-year deferred judgment sentence in November, pleading guilty to the misdemeanor reckless endangerment charge. If he successfully completes two years of supervised probation, pays $4,056 in restitution and completes 120 hours of community service, his charge will be dismissed.

Haskins also received a partial deferred judgment sentence. His felony charge can be dismissed if he successfully completes his probation, but the misdemeanor reckless endangerment charge will stand.

Haskins is due to appear in court at 8 a.m. May 27 for final sentencing.

Guilty plea in drug case

A 24-year-old Stagecoach man pled guilty Wednesday to a felony charge of conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance, in connection with a September cocaine bust by the All Crimes Enforcement Team.

Bryan Koppe was arrested Sept. 19 on suspicion of possessing and selling cocaine and distributing the drug to other dealers in the Yampa Valley.

On the Class 4 felony charge, Koppe faces up to six years in prison, fines up to $205,000 and three mandatory years of parole after release. Other drug possession and drug paraphernalia charges will be dismissed.

Koppe has agreed to reimburse ACET roughly $3,000 in costs and will forfeit firearms and other items seized from his residence after his arrest.

The district court has 90 days to hand down Koppe's sentence. Judge Hill ordered a presentence investigation from the probation department.

"Probation is an option in this case," Koppe's attorney Adam Tucker said.

Koppe also pled guilty Wednesday to an unrelated misdemeanor charge of driving while ability impaired. He will face up to 180 days in jail, 48 hours of community service and $250 in fines on the misdemeanor charge. Any probation or jail time will be served concurrently with Koppe's sentence on the drug-related felony.